Falcons 2017 NFL mock draft: The all-linemen edition

The Atlanta Falcons have expressed a focus on improving their defensive and offensive lines this offseason. So, why not take a look at a 2016 draft scenario that addresses the idea that it’s not the speed guys on the outside that improve playoff-caliber teams, it’s the fat boys on the lines that do.

So in that vain, we’re doing a Fat Boy mock draft for the Falcons. Let’s see who could make the most sense for them to select if they were held to the philosophy of only dudes that would play along the lines for them.

Round 1, No. 31 overall: EDGE Jordan Willis, Kansas State

The Falcons’ greatest need is someone to line up across from Vic Beasley for the long-haul. Jordan Willis may not look like a firs- round pick when just looking at his film, but he has proven he’s effective at getting to the quarterback with three different paths and is solid when it comes to stopping the run.

Willis is also a freak athlete on the Demarcus Ware-level. He’d be an ideal fit at weak-side defensive end in the nickel and could play the LEO role in the base as an upgrade over Brooks Reed. In his rookie season, there’s no reason to believe he couldn’t enhance what is a weak edge rush off the weak-side.

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